Is our economy fit for purpose in a low carbon world? Can economic
growth deliver us from the threat of catastrophic climate change, or is
it the engine thats driving us relentlessly towards it?

Speaking
today at a high-level debate in central London to mark the publication
of his controversial new book Prosperity without Growth, Tim Jackson
argues that building a new economic model fit for a low carbon world is
the most urgent task of our times.

The current model isnt
working, says Prof Jackson, a top sustainability adviser to the UKs four
governments. Instead of delivering widespread prosperity, our economies
are undermining wellbeing in the richest nations and failing those in
the poorest. The prevailing system has already led us to the brink of
economic collapse and if left unchecked it threatens a climate
catastrophe.

Prosperity without Growth substantially updates
Jacksons groundbreaking report for the Sustainable Development
Commission. Launched earlier this year to great acclaim, the report
rapidly became the most downloaded document in the Commissions nine year
history and in recent weeks has contributed to a burgeoning debate
about economic growth and its consequences for people and planet.